Learning to Train in Winter | Getting better for gravel

Past winters I only did indoor cycling on Zwift. This year I want to do as much outdoor is I can, because I know I will otherwise burn out on my training plan. Today is the ultimate test as it is literally freezing and I have a 90 minute training to do.
Learning: study the training profile better beforehand, pick a route suited to the training, bring some food, get better shoe covers, get something to cover the ears.

[@MaartenOverweg]

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: I GOT SICK....Spent the past couple days in bed feeling like roadkill. This is what usually happens when I get cold...I get sick. I still haven't given up on training in the winter though, I just have to be more careful and take small steps. I'll be back!

[@Gravelmisfit_]

I ride year round. It gets to -25 in Alberta Canada. It’s cold but if you dress appropriately it’s a great way to train.
I don’t own a hardtail or a fatbike either. Just studded winters on the gravel when needed :) keep rocking

[@MaartenOverweg]

I don't know how you do it....I got sick again after 2 days of back to back riding in the cold. I know part of it is asthma, it get's worse with cold and humidity. But I haven't given up on riding outdoors in winter, one day I'll figure it out.

[@MaartenOverweg]

UPDATE: I returned with a bit of a cough, but managed to do another 2.5 hours training the day after. I did buy warmer shoe covers, but feet were still freezing. So I'm going to listen to @wimvanunen9337 and start looking for wintershoes.

[@wimvanunen9337]

To gravel in nice dry, cold winter: so much fun. I went today and will go tomorrow 👍. Nice mud-guard as well (more than an ass-saver 😅). Ánd nice surroundings. Warmer feet? Try wintershoes. My solution.

[@MaartenOverweg]

Wintershoes are a very good idea! The ride was indeed a lot of fun, but with this cold I am always worried about my lungs (asthma). And I must say I'm not feeling great this morning, so maybe better to go for an indoor ride today instead of going out. You have fun riding!

[@Bloekie]

Nothing beats training outdoors. I truly believe that it’s healthy for mind and body to be connected to what’s happening in nature. (I do train indoors too, but mostly because of the dark being a factor for a young parent.) I have GripGrab overshoes which I absolutely adore. And fenders (spatborden: SKS Bluemels) for life, really. Fenders are a 25 euro upgrade that pays dividends, especially looking at your previous video.

[@MaartenOverweg]

I still got sick unfortunately, but will one day figure out how to be better in winter. Unfortunately no magic pill found yet, but better clothes and fenders are a start. And I'm thinking maybe I should have listened to my Garmin watch when it said my training readiness was in the gutter. How many hours do you train outdoors in winter (average)?

[@Bloekie]

@@MaartenOverweg Depends. November / December are more laid back, I'm only targeting my yearly goal on Strava now. About 100 km per week. From Christmas on, I usually try Rapha's Festive 500, but don't always manage to get the hours in between family time. About half of those 500 would be indoors. And from January onwards it will probably be about 150 km per week.

[@Bloekie]

I also take a multivitamin during "winteruur". (Kruidvat Weerstand) It helps against getting sick. But it's true that you have to listen to your body way more during cold/flu/corona season.

[@MaartenOverweg]

@@Bloekie Thanks, yeah that's a good tip. I started using the whole range of Kruitvat stuff a couple weeks ago (C, D, B, Magnesium, etc.). Can't hurt to keep using those.

[@VeloViking]

Nah bro, that’s not cold 😜

[@MaartenOverweg]

😂😂 it is for me!

[@user-pk4ne3qs5l]

hallo Maarten, als er bij jullie in de buurt een Decathlon winkel is, kan je er Wedze voetenwarmers kopen (15€ voor 15 x 2 ). Ik gebruik die tijdens winterritten en ik ben er erg tevreden over (ritten van 2uur), groeten

[@MaartenOverweg]

Hele goeie tip, dank je wel! Er zit bij ons in het dorp inderdaad een Decathlon en ga deze zeker proberen. Ik heb wel ook winterschoenen besteld, ik denk dat ik mede door de kou ziek geworden ben afgelopen week.